Alternative illuminator assembly and mobile imaging apparatus for improved direct part marking reading

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an alternative illuminator assembly and corresponding imaging assemblies utilizing the alternative illuminator assembly. The alternative illuminator assembly may provide alternative illuminations from those produced by an imager engine, such that the alternative illuminations may provide specific illuminations at specific illumination angles to illuminate a field of view for a desired purpose. In an example context, the alternative illuminator assembly provides one or more alternative illuminations for improving the likelihood of successfully reading specific direct part marking indicias of various types. Embodiments are provided using overlapping subassemblies that enable a small form factor assembly that can fit into mobile apparatus chasses, for example within conventional cell phone housings of around 7 millimeters. The alternative illuminator assembly may be provided together with a small form factor imaging engine, having one or more imager, to improve the direct part marking reading capabilities of the multi-sensor imaging apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/781,550, filed Feb. 4, 2020, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to illuminatorassemblies for imaging apparatuses, such as barcode and/or othersymbology scanners, and specifically to illuminator assemblies for smallform factor mobile imaging apparatuses for improved reading of variousdirect part marking indicia types.

BACKGROUND

Direct part marking often requires an imaging apparatus to be configuredto read, such as by capturing and decoding, an encoded representation ofdata presented via any of a number of ways, surfaces, and/or the like.To provide specific illumination for certain types or readings, imagingapparatuses often utilize dome illuminator(s), for example forbright-field illumination, and/or ring illuminator(s), for example fordark-field illumination. Applicant has discovered problems with currentimplementations of imaging apparatuses for direct parts marking. Throughapplied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, Applicant has solved many ofthese identified problems by developing embodied in the presentdisclosure, which are described in detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provided hereininclude alternative illuminator assemblies and alternative illuminatorimaging apparatuses. Other implementations for one or more of thealternative illuminator assemblies and/or alternative illuminatorimaging apparatuses will be, or will become, apparent to one with skillin the art upon examination of the following figures and detaileddescription. It is intended that all such additional implementations beincluded within this description be within the scope of the disclosure,and be protected by the following claims.

In accordance with one example aspect of the present disclosure, analternative illuminator imaging apparatus is provided. In at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure, an example alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus comprises a mobile apparatus chassis comprising atleast a terminal edge. The example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus further comprises an imaging engine, where the imaging engineis positioned within the apparatus chassis at a first location along theterminal edge. The example alternative illuminator imaging apparatusfurther comprises an alternative illuminator assembly configured forgenerating a first illumination at a first illumination angle and asecond illumination at a second illumination angle, where thealternative illuminator assembly is located at a second location alongthe terminal edge.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the example alternative illuminator assembly furthercomprises a first support component to fixedly position the imagingengine within the mobile apparatus chassis, and a second supportcomponent to fixedly position the alternative illuminator assemblywithin the mobile apparatus chassis.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the alternative illuminator assembly comprises an illuminatorlens surface comprising at least a first reflector and a firstillumination lens, and a second reflector and a second illuminationlens, where the illuminator lens surface comprises a first assemblysecuring opening; an illuminator component board comprising at least afirst alternative illuminator source aligned with the first reflectorand the first illumination lens, and comprising at least a secondalternative illuminator source aligned with the second reflector and thesecond illumination lens, where the illuminator component board furthercomprises a second assembly securing opening; a heat sink positionedadjacent to disperse heat from the illuminator component board, wherethe heat sink comprises a third assembly securing opening; and anassembly securing component engaged with the first assembly securingopening, the second assembly securing opening, and the third assemblysecuring opening, to secure the illuminator lens surface, illuminatorcomponent board, and heat sink, where the first illuminator source, thefirst reflector, and the first illumination lens produces anillumination at a first illumination angle and wherein the secondilluminator source, the second reflector, and the second illuminationlens produce a second illumination at a second illumination angle,wherein the first illumination angle is greater than the secondillumination angle. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some suchembodiments of the example alternative illuminator imaging apparatus,the heat sink is of a predefined shape to, when engaged by the assemblysecuring component, align the first alternative illuminator source withthe first reflector and align the second alternative illuminator sourcewith the second reflector.

Additionally or alternatively, in some such embodiments of the examplealternative illuminator imaging apparatus, activating the alternativeilluminator assembly comprises activating a first alternativeilluminator source of the alternative illuminator assembly, a secondalternative illuminator source of the alternative illuminator assembly,or a combination thereof, and wherein activating the imaging enginecomprises activating the first imager of the imaging engine, activatingat least one illuminator source of the imaging engine, or a combinationthereof.

Additionally or alternatively, in some such embodiments of the examplealternative illuminator imaging apparatus, activating the imaging enginecomprises alternating activating a first illuminator source of theimaging engine and activating a second illuminator source of the imagingengine.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the example alternative illuminator assembly furthercomprises at least one processor configured for activating thealternative illuminator assembly and activating the imaging engine.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the terminal edge comprises a chassis height of less than 7millimeters.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the first location along the terminal edge is within apredefined distance from the second location along the terminal edge.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the first illumination comprises a uniform bounce flashillumination to enable reading of a highly reflective direct partmarking indicia.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the second illumination comprises a dark-field illuminationto enable reading of one or more from the group of a textured directpart marking indicia, a low contrast direct part marking indicia, and anon-contrast direct part marking indicia.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus is configuredto produce a plurality of illuminations to enable reading of a pluralityof direct part marking indicia types.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, analternative illuminator assembly is provided. In at least oneembodiment, an example alternative illuminator assembly comprises anilluminator lens surface comprising at least a first reflector and afirst illumination lens, and a second reflector and a secondillumination lens, where the illuminator lens surface comprises a firstassembly securing opening. The example alternative illuminator assemblyfurther comprises an illuminator component board comprising at least afirst illuminator source aligned with the first reflector and the firstillumination lens, and comprising at least a second illuminator sourcealigned with the second reflector and the second illumination lens,where the illuminator component board further comprises a secondassembly securing opening. The example alternative illuminator assemblyfurther comprises a heat sink positioned adjacent to disperse heat fromthe illuminator component board, where the heat sink comprises a thirdassembly securing opening. The example alternative illuminator assemblyfurther comprises an assembly securing component engaged with the firstassembly securing opening, the second assembly securing opening, and thethird assembly securing opening, to secure the position of theilluminator lens surface, illuminator component board, and heat sink.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator assembly, thefirst illuminator source comprises a first light emitting diode, and thesecond illuminator source comprises a second light emitting diode.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator assembly, theilluminator component board comprises a printed circuit board.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator assembly, theassembly securing component comprises an assembly securing screw.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator assembly, thefirst illuminator source is aligned with the first reflector and thefirst illumination lens to produce light at a first illumination angle,and the second illuminator source is aligned with the second reflectorand the second illumination lens to produce light at a secondillumination angle.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator assembly, thefirst illumination angle is greater than the second illumination angle.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator assembly, thefirst illuminator source, the first reflector, and the firstillumination lens produce a uniform bounce flash illumination associatedwith a first illumination angle to enable reading of a highly reflectivedirect part marking indicia.

In some embodiments of the example alternative illuminator assembly, thesecond illuminator source, the second reflector, and the secondillumination lens produce a dark-field illumination associated with asecond illumination angle to enable reading of one or more from thegroup of a textured direct part marking indicia, a low contrast directpart marking indicia, and a non-contrast direct part marking indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the embodiments of the disclosure in generalterms, reference now will be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example alternative illuminator imaging apparatusin accordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example visualization of a plurality of field ofviews captured utilizing an example alternative illuminator imagingapparatus, in accordance with at least one example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate various views of an examplevisualization depicting a first illumination produced by an alternativeilluminator assembly, in accordance with at least one example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate various views of an examplevisualization depicting a second illumination produced by an alternativeilluminator assembly, in accordance with at least one example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate various example visualizations ofilluminations projected by an alternative illuminator assembly, inaccordance with at least one example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exploded views of components of analternative illuminator assembly, in accordance with at least oneexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate assembled components of an alternativeilluminator assembly, in accordance with at least one example embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate various views of various subcomponents of anexample illuminator lens surface, in accordance with at least oneexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate various views of various subcomponents of anexample illuminator component board, in accordance with at least oneexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate various views of an example multi-sensorimaging engine, in accordance with at least one example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a representation of a highly reflective direct partmarking indicia affected by at least one specular reflection effect; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a representation of a non-contrast direct partmarking indicia illuminated by at least one illumination of analternative illuminator assembly, in accordance with at least oneexample embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed,embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different formsand should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein, rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout.

Overview

An imaging apparatus is configured to capture one or more image dataobjects for the purposes of decoding the captured data to perform one ormore image processing tasks. For example, in one example context, animaging apparatus is configured to process captured image data object(s)to attempt to identify and/or decode visual indicia within the captureddata. One such example context of image processing includes direct partmarking reading. In direct parts marking reading, an imaging apparatuscaptures an image data object including a direct part marking indiciaimprinted, etched, and/or otherwise rendered on an outer surface of anobject. The direct part marking indicia may be represented in any of amyriad of ways based on a direct part marking methodology used to createthe direct part marking indicia. For example, the direct part markingindicia may be rendered on the surface of the object, etched into theobject or otherwise physically impacting a surface of the object torepresent the direct part marking indicia, and/or the like.

In attempts to improve the quality of image data objects captured forprocessing, an imaging apparatus often includes or is associated withone or more illuminator sources. Each illuminator source produces anillumination onto a field of view to be captured by the imagingapparatus, for example to illuminate the field of view and enablecapture of the direct part marking indicia based on light reflected fromthe produced illumination. However, not all illuminator sourceseffectively illuminate various direct part marking indicias. Forexample, various different direct part marking indicia types may beilluminated differently based on the same illumination. In one examplecontext, a highly reflective direct part marking indicia may be affectedby one or more specular reflection effects in a circumstance where anillumination is produced from certain angles, for example where theilluminator source and the object are in line with one another. In thisregard, the image data object captured by imaging apparatus may includethe specular reflection effects and causing improper reading of a directpart marking indicia or causing the reading to fail. Similarly, inanother example context, a low-contrast and/or non-contrast direct partmarking indicia may be illuminated in a manner that results in acaptured image data object that is unlikely or impossible tosuccessfully process. In an example circumstance where an illuminationis produced from certain angles, for example where the illuminatorsource and the object including the direct part marking indicia are inline with one another, a captured image data object including alow-contrast and/or non-contrast direct part marking indicia may notinclude sufficient data differentiating the values represented withinthe direct part marking indicia.

To provide illumination for certain direct part marking indicia types,such as the highly reflective direct part marking indicia, low-contrastdirect part marking indicia, and/or non-contrast direct part markingindicia described above, traditional implementations often utilize oneor more additional ring illuminator(s) and/or dome illuminator(s). Forexample, in an example context a ring illuminator may be used to providesufficient dark-field illumination to illuminate a low-contrast and/ornon-contrast direct part marking indicia in a manner such that the imagedata object captured by an imaging apparatus includes data sufficientfor successfully processing the direct part marking indicia. Further, inan example context, a dome illuminator may be used to provide sufficientbright-field illumination to illuminate a highly reflective direct partmarking indicia with reduced, or eliminated, specular reflectioneffect(s), such that the image data object(s) captured by an imagingapparatus includes data sufficient to successfully process the directpart marking indicia. However, such conventional illuminator componentsare bulky and cannot be fit within a small form factor. For example, inthis regard, such implementations are often impossible or otherwiseunsuitable for use in mobile imaging apparatuses, for example mobileimaging apparatuses having a small form factor such as fitting into acell phone apparatus chassis.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provider alternativeilluminator assemblies and corresponding mobile imaging apparatusesutilizing at least an alternative illuminator assembly. The alternativeilluminator assembly may produce any number of illuminations, forexample at least a dark-field illumination and a uniform bounce flashillumination, each specifically designed to appropriately illuminatedirect part marking indicia of specific direct part marking indiciatypes. The alternative illuminator assembly may include a number ofsubassemblies designed to overlap so as to form a sufficiently smallform factor assembly such that the alternative illuminator assembly mayfit within small form factor mobile apparatus chasses. For example, thealternative illuminator assembly may be designed to fit within atraditional cell phone apparatus chassis of 6.8-7.2 millimeters. In thisregard, the alternative illuminator assembly provides additionalillumination in a plurality of contexts, and may be used in smallerenvironments whereas conventional illuminator assemblies would not fit.Additionally, embodiments described herein utilize a compact,lightweight, and simplified structure, decreasing the complexity of theassembly compared to conventional illuminator assemblies. Additionally,embodiment alternative illuminator assemblies described herein utilizefewer illuminator sources than conventional illuminator assemblies suchas ring illuminators and/or dome illuminators, thus lowering powerconsumption as compared to conventional illuminator assemblies. Further,embodiment alternative illuminator assemblies described herein utilize adecreased component count as compared to conventional illuminatorassemblies, thus lowering overall unit cost and enabling an easierassembly process.

The small form factor of the alternative illuminator assembly enablesuse in small form factor mobile imaging apparatuses. For example, analternative illuminator assembly may be associated with a small formfactor imaging engine that is configured to provide additionalillumination and/or capture image data objects representing one or morefield of views. In this regard, the alternative illuminator assembly maybe provided in a small form factor apparatus chassis, such as a cellphone apparatus chassis, together with the small form factor imagingengine. Additionally, in some embodiments, the alternative illuminatorassembly may be positioned separately from the imaging engine to enableillumination from illumination angles that differ from those of theilluminator sources integrated with and/or otherwise within the imagingapparatus. In this regard, the alternative illuminator assembly mayprovide one or more illuminations for illuminating one or more field ofviews from alternative illumination angles as compared to theilluminators of the imaging engine. In this regard, the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus may improve the likelihood of capturingimage data objects that may be successfully decoded for any of aplurality of direct part marking indicia types, even in circumstances inwhich the imaging apparatus is required to maintain a small form factor.

Definitions

The term “illuminator source” refers to one or more light generatingcomponents configured to produce light for projecting throughcorresponding projection optics. In some embodiments, one or moresubassemblies includes a plurality of illuminator sources, eachassociated with a different light intensity level, projection optics,and/or the like. Non-limiting examples of an illuminator source includea light emitting diode (“LED”), laser diode, and/or a combinationthereof. The term “alternative illuminator source” refers to anilluminator source within an alternative illuminator assembly.

The term “image capture optics” refers to one or more lenses and/orcorresponding enclosures defining an aperture to receive reflectedlight. In some embodiments, image capture optics Each image captureoptics is associated with an image sensor, such that the image captureoptics combined with the image sensor defines a field of view capturedutilizing such components. It should be appreciated that image captureoptics may include one or more lenses constructed of any of a number ofmaterials, including, without limitation, a 3-glass lens, a 3-plasticlens, or the like.

The term “illumination lens” refers to projection optics comprising oneor more lenses and/or corresponding enclosures configured to receivelight produced by an illuminator source and produce an illumination of apredefined illumination pattern from received light. In at least oneexample context, one or more physical properties of the illuminationlens defines the illumination pattern associated with the projectionoptics, for example based on a defined shape and/or curvature of theprojection optics. In some embodiments, the illumination lens receiveslight reflected from an associated reflector. In some embodiments, anillumination lens comprises a lens array of a defined size.

The term “image sensor” refers to one or more electrical component(s)configured to capture light interacting with the electrical component(s)to produce an image data object based on the captured light. In someembodiments, an image sensor is associated with an active-pixelresolution that defines an image size for the produced image dataobject. Non-limiting examples of an image sensor include the AR0234global shutter monochrome sensor (1920×1200 resolution, 3 um pixel), anda non-limiting example of a far-field imaging sensor 112B includes theAR0144 global shutter monochrome sensor (1280×800 resolution, 3 umpixel), each manufactured by ON Semiconductor® headquartered in Phoenix,Ariz.

The term “illumination” refers to light produced by an illuminatorsource. In some embodiments, an illumination is associated with aparticular illumination pattern that defines the intensity of lightproduced at each point within a particular field upon which theillumination is projected.

The term “illumination angle” refers to an angle of incidence at whichan illumination is produced with respect to a predefined axis. In someembodiments, the illumination angle refers specifically to the angle ofincidence between the predefined axis and a central axis of the producedillumination.

The term “uniform bounce flash illumination” refers to an illuminationat an upward and/or downward illumination angle with respect to areference axis normal to one or more image sensors defining a field ofview to be captured by the image sensors, where the illumination isprovided towards a surface to reflect the illumination upon the field ofview at a reflected angle. For example, in at least one example contexta uniform bounce flash illumination is provided at a downward angle toreflect, off of a table, floor, supporting object, and/or other surface,into a field of view at an upward angle. In some embodiments, a uniformbounce flash illumination is produced at above a minimum uniform bounceflash illumination angle.

The term “dark-field illumination” refers to an illumination at anillumination angle with respect to a reference axis normal to a field ofview for an imager. For example, in at least one example context, adark-field illumination is produced from above the field of view adownward illumination angle. In some embodiments, a dark-fieldillumination is produced at above a minimum dark-field illuminationangle.

The term “mobile apparatus chassis” refers to a housing for one or moresubassemblies to form an apparatus, where the housing is of asufficiently small form factor to enable handheld and/or unassistedmovement of the apparatus by an operator. In some embodiments, themobile apparatus chassis defines a component space for fittingsubassemblies therein, the component space defined by at least onelength, width, and height. In some example contexts, the component spaceis restricted by a smallest dimension in at least one direction, forexample by a height of the apparatus chassis. A non-limiting example ofa mobile apparatus chassis comprises a cell phone chassis limited by aheight dimension.

The term “terminal edge” refers to an edge of an apparatus chassis whereat least one outward facing subassemblies are located. In an examplecontext of an apparatus chassis for an imaging apparatus, the terminaledge includes at least one subassemblies including one or moreilluminator sources, for example a multi-sensor imaging engine and analternative illuminator assembly as described herein.

The term “support component” refers to one or more physical structuresfor aligning and/or positioning a component to a housing for thecomponent. Non-limiting examples of a support component include one ormore physically-defined spaces, protrusions, adhesives, screws, snaps,and/or the like.

The term “multi-sensor imaging engine” refers to an apparatus includinga plurality of image sensors configured to enable capturing of imagedata objects associated with various focus ranges and/or field of views.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the multi-sensorimaging engine additionally includes a plurality of illuminator sources,each illuminator source associated with one or more image sensor(s). Inat least one example context, the multi-sensor imaging engine iscomprises at least a far-field imager and a near-field imager, where animager includes a sensor, illuminator source, and image capture opticsdefining a field of view. One example multi-sensor imaging engineincludes the integrated illumination-aimer apparatuses, and/orsubassemblies thereof, described in U.S. Non-provisional applicationSer. No. 16/684,124 titled “INTEGRATED ILLUMINATION-AIMER IMAGINGAPPARATUSES,” filed Nov. 14, 2019, the contents of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The term “alternative illuminator assembly” refers to an apparatuslocated within an imaging apparatus and separate from one or moreassociated single-sensor and/or multi-sensor imaging enginesubassemblies, where the apparatus is configured to produce at least oneor more alternative illuminations. In some embodiments, the alternativeilluminator assembly is configured to produce a first illumination at afirst incidence angle and a second illumination at a second incidenceangle. In some example contexts, the first incidence angle is greaterthan the second incidence angle, for example where the firstillumination enables dark-field illumination and where the secondillumination enables bounce-flash illumination.

The term “illuminator lens surface” refers to a subcomponent of analternative illuminator assembly including at least one illuminationlens and at least one reflector. In at least one example context, eachreflector of an illumination lens surface is associated with acorresponding illuminator lens to produce an illumination from incominglight, for example from an associated illuminator source. Additionallyor alternatively, in some embodiments, the illuminator lens surfacefunctions as a housing for the alternative illuminator assembly.

The term “reflector” refers to a subassembly of an illuminator lenssurface including one or more optical components to reflect incominglight towards an illumination lens. In some embodiments, a reflectorcomprises a triangular prism reflector designed to reflect incominglight at a predetermined angle.

The term “assembly securing opening” refers to an opening in anapparatus, and/or component thereof, designed to receive an assemblysecuring component to align and/or position the subassembly in relationto one or more associated subassemblies and/or components for operation.In some embodiments, a plurality of subcomponents for a given apparatuseach include one or more assembly securing opening(s), such that whenthe assembly securing opening(s) are aligned, each subcomponent isappropriately positioned and/or aligned for operation of the assembly.

The term “illuminator component board” refers to a component configuredto enable positioning, alignment, and operation of one or moreilluminator sources. In some embodiments, the illuminator componentboard is designed of a predefined shape to align with one or more othercomponents of an apparatus, for example for alignment with a heat sinkand/or reflectors of an illuminator lens surface in an alternativeilluminator subassembly. In some embodiments, the illuminator componentboard comprises a printed circuit board with one or more illuminatorsources fixedly attached to the printed circuit board to enableactivation of the one or more illuminators. In one or more embodiments,the illuminator component board is connected to one or more processorsand/or other operational circuitry of an imaging apparatus and/orassociated apparatus embodying a subassembly of the imaging apparatus.

The term “heat sink” refers to a component configured to transfer heatgenerated by one or more subcomponents of an apparatus and/or dissipatethe heat of the subcomponent. In this regard, it should be appreciatedthat a heat sink enables regulation and/or reduction in overall heatgenerated by one or more components of an apparatus. In some examplecontexts, a heat sink is provided in an alternative illuminator assemblyto reduce and/or otherwise regulate heat generated by one or moreilluminator sources therein. It should be appreciated that non-limitingexample heat sinks include active heat sinks and passive heat sinks.

The term “assembly securing component” refers to one or more devices,hardware, or subassembly configured to engage the assembly securingopening for one or more components of an apparatus to align and/orposition the components of the apparatus for operation. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, the assembly securing componentenables locking the subcomponents of the apparatus in an alignedposition. Non-limiting examples of an assembly securing componentinclude a screw, pin, and slidable securing mechanism. For example, theterm “assembly securing screw” refers to a screw designed to engage theassembly securing opening of an illuminator lens surface, illuminatorcomponent board, and heat sink, within an alternative illuminatorassembly in desired alignments and/or positions.

The term “direct parts marking indicia” refers to a visualrepresentation of text, symbology, and/or other decodable informationwith which an object, such as a part, apparatus, component, and/or thelike, is permanently marked using a direct part marking methodology.Non-limiting examples of a direct part marking methodology includesembossing, electrochemical etching, laser marking, engraving, partcutting (for example via a mechanical and/or laser cut), and/or thelike. In some embodiments, an object is marked via a physical process,chemical process, and/or a combination thereof. Non-limiting examples ofdirect parts marking indicias include direct part marked Quick ResponseCode, 2-Dimensional Barcode, 1-Dimensional Barcode, and Data Matrix.

The term “direct parts marking indicia type” refers to a categorizationassociated with a direct part marking indicia based on one or more ofthe direct part marking methodology utilized to create the direct partmarking indicia and/or one or more visual properties associated with thedirect part marking indicia. Non-limiting examples of a direct partmarking indicia type includes a “highly reflective direct part markingindicia,” which refers to a direct part marking indicia having specularreflective properties above a predetermined threshold, a “low contrastdirect part marking indicia,” which refers to a direct part markingindicia having one or more data values represented using at least afirst color and a second color where the difference between the firstcolor and the second color is below a predetermined color differencethreshold, and a “non-contrast direct part marking indicia,” whichrefers to a direct part marking indicia having one or more data valuesrepresented using the same color and differentiated using anotherphysical and/or visual property (for example, by indenting an area torepresent a first value and not indenting an area to represent a secondvalue).

Example Alternative Illuminator Imaging Apparatus

FIG. 1 illustrates one such example embodiment of an alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus. In this regard, FIG. 1 depictsalternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100. The alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100 comprises a mobile apparatus chassis106. The mobile apparatus chassis functions as a housing for the variouscomponents of the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100, and/orother hardware components associated therewith. As illustrated, forexample, the mobile apparatus chassis embodies a cell phone apparatuschassis. The cell phone apparatus chassis is associated with a chassisheight, a chassis width, and a chassis length. As illustrated, the cellphone apparatus chassis is restricted based on the apparatus height,which is substantially smaller than the chassis length and chassiswidth. For example, in at least one example embodiment, the chassisheight may be 7 millimeters or approximately 7 millimeters, for example6.8 mm-7.2 mm as is common for many cell phone apparatus chasses. Insome embodiments, for example as illustrated, the mobile apparatuschassis 106 is restricted based on one or more dimensions associatedwith a terminal edge of the mobile apparatus chassis 106, for examplethe chassis height of the terminal edge 108.

The mobile apparatus chassis 106 embodied by a cell phone apparatuschassis comprises a terminal edge 108. A terminal edge may represent aface, of the mobile apparatus chassis 106 along which one or moreassemblies associated with image capture are located. For example, asillustrated, the terminal edge 108 is located at the top of the mobileapparatus chassis 106. In this regard, the terminal edge of the mobileapparatus chassis 106 may include one or more opening(s) and/orprotective window(s) enabling light to flow in and out of the mobileapparatus chassis 106, for example to and/or from the componentstherein. It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, theterminal edge may be located on another face of the mobile apparatuschassis 106, for example a bottom face, either side face, a front face,and/or a back face.

The alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100 as illustrated furthercomprises two components. In this regard, the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100 comprises the alternative illuminator assembly104. The alternative illuminator assembly 104 may be embodied in any ofa myriad of ways, for example as depicted and described below withrespect to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B. The alternative illuminator imagingapparatus 100 additionally comprises the multi-sensor imaging engine102. The multi-sensor imaging engine 102 may be embodied in any of amyriad of ways, for example as depicted and described below with respectto FIGS. 10A and 10B.

As illustrated, each of the alternative illuminator assembly 104 andmulti-sensor imaging engine 102 include one or more outward-facingcomponents along the terminal edge 108 of the mobile apparatus chassis106. In this regard, the terminal edge 108 may provide one or moreopenings to enable light to pass into and/or out of each of thecomponents, and/or one or more protective windows to protect suchcomponents while also enabling light to pass into and/or out of each ofthe components 102 and/or 104. For example, the terminal edge 108 mayinclude one or more openings with a protective window in front of thealternative illuminator assembly 104 to enable light produced by one ormore illumination sources of the alternative illuminator assembly 104 topass through and illuminate a corresponding field of view. Additionallyor alternatively, the terminal edge 108 may include one or more openingswith a protective window in front of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102to enable light produced by one or more illumination sources of themulti-sensor imaging engine 102 to pass through and illuminate acorresponding field of view, and/or light to enter one or more opticalcomponents of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 for capture by one ormore image sensors, for example to enable one or more image sensors toeach capture an image data object representing a field of view.

The alternative illuminator assembly 104 and multi-sensor imaging engine102 may be located at any number of locations along the terminal edge108. For example, in this regard, the alternative illuminator assembly104 may be located at a first location along the terminal edge 108, andthe multi-sensor imaging engine 102 may be located at a second locationalong the terminal edge 108. The first location and the second locationmay be separated by a particular distance, for example based on one ormore properties and/or configurations associated with the alternativeilluminator assembly 104 and/or multi-sensor imaging engine 102. Forexample, in at least one example context, the distance is based at leaston the dimensions for the multi-sensor imaging engine and the dimensionsfor the alternative illuminator, where the width of each componentdefines a minimum distance. In some contexts, it is desirable toincrease the distance between the first location and the secondlocation, and/or the illumination angle of one or more illuminatorsource(s) of the alternative illuminator assembly 104, for example toimprove the dark-field illumination of a field of view captured by themulti-sensor imaging engine 102. In some example contexts, the distanceis constrained by the length of the terminal edge 108. In this regard,in at least one example embodiment, the alternative illuminator 104 islocated nearest a location along the terminal edge 108 where theterminal edge 108 ends, adjoins with a second face of the apparatuschassis 106, and/or substantially curves to begin new face of theapparatus chassis 106 (e.g., a “corner” of the apparatus chassis 106).In some example embodiments, the separation distance between the firstlocation for the alternative illuminator assembly 104 and themulti-sensor imaging engine 102 comprises 50-60 mm.

In some embodiments, the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100includes one or more support components for positioning the alternativeilluminator assembly 104 and/or multi-sensor imaging engine 102. Forexample, in some embodiments, the apparatus chassis 106 comprises one ormore components designed to engage the alternative illuminator assembly104 and/or multi-sensor imaging engine 102, such as defining aparticular area to house the component(s) in place, enable thecomponent(s) to “snap” into place, and/or one or more screws, mounts,and/or other physical supports for fixedly connecting the component(s)to the apparatus chassis 106. Alternatively or additionally, in someembodiments, one or more of the alternative illuminator assembly 104and/or multi-sensor imaging engine 102 are positioned utilizing one ormore adhesives, chassis melding, and/or other position securingmethodologies without any additional physical component(s).

In this regard, the sufficiently small form factor associated with thealternative illuminator assembly 104 provides for use within small formfactor environments. For example, whereas conventional illuminatorcomponents may be too large to fit within a mobile apparatus chassis106, such as a cell phone apparatus chassis restricted based on alimited chassis height, the alternative illuminator assembly 104 may befit within the mobile apparatus chassis 106 without difficulty.Accordingly, the alternative illuminator assembly 104 may be utilizedwithin a small form factor mobile imaging apparatus, such as thealternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100, while retaining the smallform factor and without sacrificing functionality associated withadditional illuminators for specific direct part marking indicia types.

It should be appreciated that an imaging apparatus may include any typeof imaging engine, for example an imaging engine including any number ofimager(s) and/or illuminators. For example, in some example embodiments,the imaging apparatus may include a single-sensor imaging engineincluding a single imager, and/or a single illuminator source associatedwith the imager. Alternatively, in some other example embodiments, theimaging apparatus may include a dual-sensor imaging engine including anear-field imager and a far-field imager, and/or a far-field illuminatorsource and a near-field illuminator source. In at least some otherembodiments, the imaging apparatus may include a dual-sensor imagingengine including a near-field imager and a far-field imager, and asingle illuminator source. In yet some other embodiments, the imagingapparatus may include more than two imagers, more than two illuminatorsources, or another combination of imagers and illuminator sources(e.g., two imagers, but no illuminators, and rely solely on thealternative illuminator assembly 104). In this regard, the scope andspirit of the disclosure is not limited to usage of a particular imagingengine, such as a single-sensor, dual-sensor, or multi-sensor imagingengine.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example visualization of a plurality of field ofviews captured utilizing the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus100. Specifically, as illustrated, FIG. 2 includes a near field of view202 and a far field of view 204. The far field of view 202 may embody anarrower field of view than the near field of view 202, such that thefar field of view 202 may be referred to as a “narrow field of view” andthe near field of view 204 may be referred to as a “broad field ofview.” In this regard, the near field of view 202 may encompass some orall of the far field of view 204 when the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100 is located at a threshold distance from the fieldto captured.

In some embodiments, each of the field of views 202 and 204 is capturedand represented as image data objects, for example using one or morecomponents of the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100 and/orsubcomponents thereof. As illustrated, for example, the field of views202 and 204 may be captured using the multi-sensor imaging engine 102.The multi-sensor imaging engine 102 may include a near-field imagercomprising at least field capture optics that define the near field ofview 202 and a corresponding near-field image sensor to capture the nearfield of view 202. Additionally or alternatively, the multi-sensorimaging engine 102 may include a far-field imager comprising at leastfield capture optics that define the far field of view 204 and acorresponding far-field image sensor to capture the far field of view204. Additional description with respect to such subcomponents of themulti-sensor imaging engine 102 is provided below with respect to FIGS.10A and 10B.

To capture an image data object including sufficient data for successfulprocessing, for example to detect and decode a direct part markingindicia represented within the captured image data object, the field ofviews 202 and 204 may be illuminated utilizing one or more of thesubcomponents of the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100. Forexample, the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 may provide one or aplurality of illuminations of the field of views 202 and 204. Suchilluminations may be sufficient to enable capture of image data objectshaving sufficient data such that direct part marking indicias ofrepresented within can be successfully detected and/or decoded. However,due to the limitations of the proximity between the illuminator sourcesof the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 and the associated imagers forcapturing the image data objects, the illuminations provided by theilluminator sources of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 may be forcedto be at an illumination angle normal, or substantially normal within asmall deviation, to the image sensors defining the field of views 202and 204. Such illumination may provide improper illumination to thefield of views 202 and/or 204 for certain direct part marking indiciatypes, such that the resulting captured image data objects do notinclude sufficient data to enable the successful detecting and/ordecoding of a direct part marking indicia represented within thecaptured image data object. For example, in a circumstance where adirect part marking indicia is a highly reflective direct part markingindicia, a textured direct part marking indicia or other non-contrastdirect part marking indicia, and/or a low contrast direct part markingindicia, such illumination may be insufficient to enable capture ofsuccessfully detectable and/or decodable image data objects.Accordingly, the alternative illuminator assembly 104 may provide one ormore illuminations that appropriately illuminate one or more of the nearfield of view 202 and/or far field of view 204 for purposes of capturingimage data objects representing a direct part marking indicia, of suchdirect part marking indicia types, such that the image data object(s)include requisite data for successful detection of the direct partmarking indicia and/or decoding of the direct part marking indicia.Examples of such illuminations produced by the alternative illuminatorassembly 104 are described below with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C, 4A-4C, and5A-5C.

It should be appreciated that, to function properly and/or improve thelikelihood of successful scanning operations, the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100 may be located within a desirablerange from an object to be scanned. In some embodiments, one or moreproperties of the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100, and/orthe sub-assemblies thereof, affect the minimum and/or maximum distanceof the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100. For example, in atleast one example context, the minimum and/or maximum distance requiredfor the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100 to operate with anacceptable likelihood of operating properly (e.g., successfully scanninga visual indicia) is defined by the intensity of one or more illuminatorsource(s) of the alternative illuminator assembly 104 and/ormulti-sensor imaging engine 102, depth of focus for one or more imagers,and/or the like, or a combination thereof.

Example Alternative Illuminations Produced by an Example AlternativeIlluminator Assembly

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate an example visualization depicting afirst illumination produced by an alternative illuminator assembly, suchas an alternative illuminator assembly 104. In at least one examplecontext, the first illumination embodies a uniform bounce flashillumination. Specifically, FIG. 3A depicts, from a first side angle,the first illumination produced by the alternative illuminator assembly104. FIG. 3B depicts, from a first perspective angle, the firstillumination produced by the alternative illuminator assembly 104 withinthe alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100. FIG. 3C depicts, fromthe first side angle, the first illumination produced by the alternativeilluminator assembly 104 within the alternative illuminator imagingapparatus 100 for bounce flash illumination of a particular field ofview.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the first illumination 302 isangled at a first illumination angle, for example illumination angle308, with respect to an object and/or surface, for example including adirect parts marking indicia to be read. It should be appreciated thatthe illumination may include various light rays each associated with itsown illumination angle, such that the illumination angle 308 representsone such angle of the projected illumination. The first illuminationangle 308 represents the angle at which the first illumination 302 isprojected. In some example contexts, for example as illustrated, thefirst illumination angle 308 associated with the illumination 302represents a downward facing angle with respect to the alternativeilluminator assembly 104 and/or the alternative illuminator imagingapparatus 100. In this regard, the illumination angle 308 may be definedbased on a normal axis with respect to one or more image sensor(s) forcapturing one or more field of views, for example where the field ofviews include an object, direct part marking indicia, and/or the like,to be illuminated via by the alternative illuminator assembly 104. Inthis regard, the normal axis represents a forward direction from thealternative illuminator assembly 104 and/or alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100, and a second axis defines the orientation of theilluminator source producing the first illumination 302 with respect tothe normal axis.

As illustrated, the first illumination 302 may be produced by thealternative illuminator assembly 104 within the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C.Additionally, for example as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100 is further associated with the fieldof view 304. The field of view 304 may define the area capturable by oneor more of the imagers within an imaging engine of the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus, for example captured by imagers of themulti-sensor imaging engine 102. In this regard, the illumination 302 isproduced to illuminate the field of view 304 for capture by themulti-sensor imaging engine 102.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the first illumination 302 isprojected at a downward angle with respect to the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100 when the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100, for example when the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100 is in a forward-facing orientation. For example,as illustrated, the illumination angle 308 may embody a downward facingangle in a circumstance where the alternative illuminator imagingapparatus 100 is oriented parallel to a surface for reflection, forexample the surface 306 located beneath the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100. In at least one example context, the illuminationangle 308 corresponds to a desired angle based on one or moreconfigurations of the alternative illuminator assembly and/or at leastone associated imager, for example one or more imager(s) within anassociated imaging engine. In one such example, the illumination angle308 comprises a minimum angle of half the vertical field angle of one ormore associated imager(s). In some such embodiments, the illuminationangle 308 represents an angle less than or equal to 60 degrees tomaintain efficiency with respect to the produced illumination.

The surface 306 may embody any surface such that at least a portion ofthe first illumination 302 is reflected off the surface 306 towards thefield of view to be captured. In some embodiments, the surface 306 isembodied by any of a number of surfaces upon which an object thatincludes a direct part marking indicia to be read is placed, and/or anassociated surface located in close proximity to the object thatincludes a direct part marking indicia to be read. As a non-limiting setof examples, the surface 306 may be embodied by a table, conveyor belt,machinery surface, floor, and/or the like, upon which the objectincluding the direct part marking indicia is placed for reading.Depending on the physical properties of the surface 306, some amount ofthe first illumination 302 may reflect off of the surface 306 towardsthe field of view 304. For example, the material that the surface 306 ismade of, the shape and/or curvature of the surface 306, and/or the like,may each affect the amount of light reflected off the surface 306towards the field of view 304. It should be appreciated that, in someexample contexts and as is often the case, the surface 306 may not be amirror-like surface that reflect. In some such example contexts, thefirst illumination 302 is reflected, or “bounced,” off the surface 306to form an equivalent diffused uniform illumination. In such contexts,the equivalent diffused uniform nature of the reflected illumination mayfurther reduce the likelihood of specular reflection effects due tobright illumination of the direct part marking indicia causing patternnoise. In some example contexts, the surface 306 is at least amirror-like, partially reflective surface, such that the reflected lightis based on the reflective properties of the mirror-like surface. Asillustrated in FIG. 3C, the reflected light is represented by thereflected illumination 310.

The reflected illumination 310 illuminates the field of view 304 at areflected illumination angle based on the angle at which the reflectedillumination 310 is reflected off the surface 306. In this regard, thereflected illumination 310 illuminates the field of view 304 at adifferent illumination angle than one or more illuminations produced byone or more illuminator sources of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102of the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100. For example, incomparison to the reflected illumination 310, each of the illuminatorsources of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 may produce anillumination that illuminates the field of view 304 at a direct angleparallel to the field of view 304, or substantially parallel to thefield of view 304

The reflected angle at which the reflected illumination 310 illuminatesthe field of view 304 may enable the alternative illuminator imagingapparatus 100 to capture one or more image data objects of an objecthaving a direct part marking indicia within the field of view 304. Thereflected illumination 310 illuminates the field of view 304sufficiently to avoid specular reflection effects that may be caused byillumination at an angle parallel to the field of view 304, for exampleproduced by one or more illuminator sources of the multi-sensor imagingengine 102 of the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100. Assuch, the captured image data object(s) representing the field of view304 illuminated based on the reflected illumination 310 may have areduced number of instances of specular reflection effects, and/orotherwise be free from specular reflection effects, that may negativelyaffect the detecting and/or decoding of a direct parts marking indiciarepresented within the captured image data object(s). In this regard,the reflected illumination 310 enables capture of image data object(s)including a direct part marking indicia that is more likely to besuccessfully detectable and/or decodable by the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100, such as in circumstances where the direct partmarking indicia embodies a highly reflective direct part markingindicia.

It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100 is associated with a minimum and/ormaximum distance from a lower surface, such as the surface 306, foroperation. For example, in at least one example context, the minimumand/or maximum distance from the surface 306 defines a range withinwhich the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100 is configured tosuccessfully scan within a desired likelihood of success. It should beappreciated that there may be no technical minimum distance and/ormaximum distance at which the apparatus 100 may be located, and suchdistances may be based on any number of properties associated with thealternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100 and/or one or moresubcomponents thereof. In at least one example embodiment, the operablerange for a desired threshold of successfully scanning a visual indiciacomprises 50 mm-300 mm.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C each illustrate an example visualization depictinga second illumination produced by an alternative illuminator assembly,such as an alternative illuminator assembly 104. In at least one examplecontext, the second illumination embodies a dark-field illumination.Specifically, FIG. 4A depicts, from a first side angle, the secondillumination produced by the alternative illuminator assembly 104. FIG.4B depicts, from a first perspective angle, the second illuminationproduced by the alternative illuminator assembly 104 within thealternative illuminator imaging apparatus 100. FIG. 4C depicts, from thefirst side angle, the second illumination produced by the alternativeilluminator assembly 104 within the alternative illuminator imagingapparatus 100 for dark-field illumination of a particular field of view.

In this regard, the dark-field illumination may provide adequateillumination of a field of view to enable capture of image data objectsincluding direct part marking indicia(s) of various types such that thedirect part marking indicia(s) may be successfully detected and/ordecoded from the image data object. In this regard, the separationbetween the alternative illuminator assembly 104 and a correspondingmulti-sensor imaging engine may create a high angle of incidence betweenthe second illumination and the normal axis associated with one or moreimage sensors of the multi-sensor imaging assembly. In this regard,reflective and/or polished surfaces will be imaged as dark surfaces bythe image sensor as minimal and/or no light will interact with themirrored surface and reflect towards the image sensor for capture.Surface textures, such as direct part marking indicia created via animpacted surface creating indented data points, as illustrated belowwith respect to FIG. 12 for example, may cause such features to beilluminated as dark features with respect to the non-impacted portionsof the object surface. In this regard, low and/or no-contrast directpart markings may be represented in one or more image data objects,captured by one or more image sensors of a corresponding multi-sensorimaging engine, with adequate illumination such that the direct partmarking indicia(s) may be successfully detected from the image dataobject(s) and/or successfully decoded.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the second illumination 402 isangled at a second illumination angle, for example illumination angle404, with respect to an object and/or surface, for example including adirect parts marking indicia to be read. It should be appreciated thatthe illumination may include various light rays each associated with itsown illumination angle, such that the illumination angle 404 representsone such angle of the projected illumination. The second illuminationangle 404 may represent the angle at which the second illumination 402is produced. In the example context as illustrated, the secondillumination angle 404 associated with the illumination 402 representsan angle towards the field of view visible to the captured by analternative illuminator imaging apparatus, such as the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100. In this regard, the illuminationangle 404 may be defined based on the normal imaging axis with respectto one or more image sensors of a multi-sensor imaging engine associatedwith the alternative illuminator assembly 104, for example a forwarddirection from the alternative illuminator assembly 104 and/or the oneor more image sensors of an alternative illuminator imaging apparatus100, and a second axis defines the orientation of the illuminator sourcewith respect to the normal axis.

In at least one example context, the illumination angle 404 additionallyor alternatively corresponds to a desired angle based on one or moreconfigurations of the alternative illuminator assembly and/or at leastone associated imager, for example one or more imager(s) within anassociated imaging engine. In one such example, the illumination angle308 comprises a minimum angle of half the horizontal field angle of oneor more associated imager(s), such as a near-field imager and/orfar-field imager of an associated imaging engine. In some suchembodiments, the illumination angle 404 is not limited to a maximumangle for purposes of functionality. Indeed, in at least some examplecontexts, as large an illumination angle as possible may be desirablewithin the functional constraints of the components therein, for examplesuch that the produced illumination, for example illumination 402,sufficiently illuminates the desired field of view, for example field ofview 304. The illumination angle 404, in some contexts, is limited bythe placement of the alternative illuminator within one or more imagingapparatuses. For example, in at least one circumstance where thealternative illuminator assembly is located along a terminal edge of amobile imaging apparatus as described herein, the mobile imagingapparatus further including an imaging engine, the illumination angle404 may be limited by the length of the terminal edge and the locationof the imaging engine along the terminal edge. In some such embodiments,the illumination angle 404 is greater than the illumination angleassociated with one or more other alternative illuminations generated bythe alternative illuminator assembly 104, for example greater than theillumination angle 308 as described with respect to illumination 302, toenable enhanced dark-field illumination.

As illustrated, the second illumination 402 may be produced by thealternative illuminator assembly 104 within the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus 100, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C.Additionally, for example as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100 is further associated with the fieldof view 304. The field of view 304 may define the area capturable by oneor more of the imagers within an imaging engine of the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus 100, for example captured by imagers ofthe multi-sensor imaging engine 102. In this regard, the illumination402 is produced at a particular angle towards the field of view to becaptured, for example to illuminate the field of view 304 for capture bythe multi-sensor imaging engine 102.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate various visualizations of thealternative illuminator assembly 104 projecting the first illumination302 and second illumination 402. Specifically, FIG. 5A illustrates afirst perspective view of the alternative illuminator assembly 104projecting the first illumination 302 and second illumination 402. FIG.5B illustrates a first side view of the alternative illuminator assembly104 projecting the first illumination 302 and second illumination 402.FIG. 5C illustrates another side view of the alternative illuminatorassembly 104 projecting the first illumination 302 and secondillumination 402.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the first illumination 302 and secondillumination 402 each are defined by light projected within a definedfield. In at least one example context, the alternative illuminatorassembly 104 is intended to be used to illuminate a field of view to becaptured by another component, for example a multi-sensor imaging engineassociated with the alternative illuminator assembly 104. Thealternative illuminator assembly 104 may be designed such that adark-field illumination is always produced at an angle towards a fieldof view to be captured, regardless of the orientation of the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus. The orientation of the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus may thus be changed without affecting theillumination of the field of view, for example the alternativeilluminator assembly oriented differently to enable comfort for the useror enable one of the illuminations 302 or 402 to be produced in adownward facing direction for purposes of illuminating a field of viewfrom above.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, for example, the second illumination 402 maybe projected towards the field of view to illuminate the field of view,or more specifically a surface, object, and/or one or more direct partmarking indicia(s) within the field of view, at a high angle ofincidence. In some embodiments, the alternative illuminator assembly 104is located at a second location along a terminal edge of an apparatuschassis, for example where the second location is less than apredetermined distance from a second end of the terminal edge, thesecond end of the terminal edge located opposite a first end of theterminal edge. In this regard, the second location may be substantiallynear (e.g., within the predetermined distance) from a second corner(e.g., where the terminal edge meets a side edge of the apparatuschassis), the second corner opposite a first corner for the apparatuschassis. In at least one example context, the second corner may be lessthan a predetermined distance from where a multi-sensor imaging engineand/or other sub-assembly is located at the second location along theterminal edge for capturing one or more image data objects representinga particular field of view visible to the multi-sensor imaging engine.Alternatively or additionally, in at least some embodiments, the firstlocation along the terminal edge may be located at a predefined distancefrom the second location along the terminal edge. In yet some otherembodiments, the first location is less than or equal to a maximumpredefined distance from the second location along the terminal edge,for example where the alternative illuminator assembly 104 may bepositioned no more than X mm from the imaging engine 102. It should beappreciated that, additionally or alternatively in at least some otherembodiments, the first location and second location may be associatedwith a minimum predefined distance, for example where the alternativeilluminator assembly 104 may be positioned no less than X mm from theimaging engine 102.

In this regard, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the second illumination 402may be projected towards the multi-sensor imaging engine and thustowards the field of view to be captured. The angle of incidence betweenthe normal axis of the image sensor(s) defining the field of view andthe second illumination 402 may embody a value greater than a desiredthreshold angle. In this regard, the second illumination 402 may embodya dark-field illumination for purposes of illuminating a field of viewcapturable by the alternative illuminator imaging apparatus. In thisregard, due to the angle of incidence with respect to the field of viewand/or an object to be captured, surface features of an object and/orother surface representing a direct part marking indicia, and/or low ornon-contrast direct part marking indicia(s) within the field of view maybe illuminated in a manner that enables the captured image dataobject(s) representing the field of view to be processed to successfullydetect and decode the direct part marking indicia therein.

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, for example, the first illumination 302 maybe projected at the downward facing angle. In some such embodiments, thealternative illuminator assembly 104 produces the first illumination 302at the downward facing angle in a circumstance when an imaging apparatusis oriented in a forward-facing, for example such that the alternativeilluminator imaging apparatus is oriented parallel with the groundand/or a lower surface below the alternative illuminator imagingapparatus. In some embodiments, the alternative illuminator assembly 104is located towards a second corner of the apparatus chassis, the secondcorner opposite a first corner of a terminal edge for an apparatuschassis, for example where a multi-sensor imaging engine and/or otherapparatus is located at the second location for capturing one or moreimage data objects representing a particular field of view. In thisregard, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the first illumination 302 may beprojected at a downward facing angle towards a surface for reflectingtowards the field of view to be captured. Accordingly, the field of viewto be captured may be illuminated by the first illumination 302 afterreflection, and thus illuminated at a reflected illumination angle. Thereflected illumination angle may be an upward facing angle such that thefield of view is illuminated from below. In this regard, the firstillumination 302 may embody a bounce field illumination for purposes ofilluminating the field of view capturable by the alternative illuminatorimaging apparatus. Due to angle of incidence with respect to thereflected illumination angle, the specular reflection of the firstillumination 302 off of an object in the field of view for capture mayminimized such that the captured image data objects are unlikely to beaffected by specular reflection effects. Thus, particularly for highlyreflective direct part marking indicia, the first illumination 302improves the likelihood such captured image data objects represent datafrom which the direct part marking indicia can be successfully detectedand/or decoded. Similarly, when oriented as such, the secondillumination 402 may provide a specific dark-field illumination of thefield of view to be captured.

In some embodiments, the alternative illuminator assembly 104 isactivated based on one or more activation signals. For example, a firstactivation signal may be transmitted to the alternative illuminatorassembly to activate a first illuminator source of the alternativeilluminator assembly 104. In this regard, the first illuminator sourcemay be used to produce the first illumination 302. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, a second activation signal may betransmitted to the alternative illuminator assembly 104 to activate asecond illuminator source of the alternative illuminator assembly 104.The second illuminator source may be used to produce the secondillumination 402. In some embodiments, one or more external and/orassociated processing circuitry, apparatuses, engines, devices, systemsand/or the like are configured to transmit the activation signal. Insome embodiments, for example, the activation signal is generated basedon the results of an image processing algorithm, for example performedby a multi-sensor imaging engine and/or associated processing circuitry.In this regard, the activation signal be configured to activate a firstilluminator source associated with the first illumination 302 in acircumstance where the image processing algorithm indicates specularreflect effects one or more captured image data objects, and/or theactivation signal may be configured to activate the second illuminatorsource associated with the second illumination 402 in a circumstancewhere the image processing algorithm indicates a low and/or no-contrastenvironment.

Example Assembly and Components of an Alternative Illuminator Assembly

Having described the functionality of example alternative illuminatorassemblies and corresponding alternative illuminator imaging apparatusesabove, the individual components and structure of embodiment thealternative illuminator assemblies will now be described. It should beappreciated that, in other embodiments, one or more of the componentsmay differ from the embodiment(s) as depicted, for example utilizingsimilar components. Accordingly, the depicted embodiments are not tolimit the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B each illustrate an exploded view of components of analternative illuminator assembly, for example an exploded view of thealternative illuminator assembly 104, in accordance with at least someexample embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 6Aillustrates a first perspective of the exploded view of the front facesfor the components of the alternative illuminator assembly. FIG. 6Billustrates a second perspective view of the back faces for thecomponents of the alternative illuminator assembly. The illustratedcomponents further include an illuminator lens surface 602, anilluminator component board 604, a heat sink 606, and an assemblysecuring component 608. Each component is specially designed to interactand align such that the formed alternative illuminator assembly is of asmall form factor sufficient for fitting in a small form factor mobileapparatus chassis such as a cell phone apparatus chassis.

The illustrated components include the illuminator component board 604.The illuminator component board 604 may provide hardware for producingone or more illuminations. In this regard, in some embodiments, theilluminator component board 604 comprises at least one or moreilluminator sources, as well as hardware for powering each illuminatorsource and/or connecting each illuminator source to one or morehardware, devices, circuitry, and/or the like for controlling activationof each illumination source. For example, in some embodiments, theilluminator component board 604 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB),such as a flexible PCB and/or rigid flex PCB, including and/or connectedto one or more illuminator sources. It should be appreciated that theilluminator component board 604 may comprise any of a number of suitablematerials for transmitting electrical signals to and/or between thesubcomponents thereof and/or associated connected components. Theilluminator component board 604 is further illustrated and describedbelow with respect to FIGS. 9A-9E.

The illustrated components further include the illuminator lens surface602. The illuminator lens surface 602 may provide one or more opticalcomponents for projecting each of the illumination(s) produced by theilluminator sources, for example of the illuminator component board 604,in desired illumination pattern and/or at a desired illumination angle.The illuminator lens surface 602 may include one or more opticalcomponents through which an illumination can pass through. In thisregard, the illuminator lens surface 602 may be constructed of, and/orinclude one or more subcomponents constructed of, optical glass and/orplastic designed to enable light embodying one or more illuminations topass through. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examplecontexts, the illuminator lens surface 602 and/or one or moresubcomponents thereof defines an enclosure for fitting the alternativeilluminator assembly within an alternative illuminator imagingapparatus. The illuminator lens surface 602 is further illustrated anddescribed below with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C.

The illustrated components further include the heat sink 606. Heat sink606 may provide heat dissipation functionality with respect to one ormore other of the illustrated components. For example, the heat sink 606may provide heat dissipation for each of the illuminators included inand/or otherwise associated with the illuminator component board 604. Inthis regard, the heat sink 606 may be designed to provide suchfunctionality to maximize the lifespan of each component and/orotherwise ensure that the alternative illuminator assembly continues tofunction as intended.

In some embodiments, the heat sink 606 is designed to provide supportfor the illuminator component board 604. The heat sink 606 may providesupport such that each illuminator source connected to the illuminatorcomponent board 604 is aligned at a particular illumination angle withrespect to a forward angle associated with the alternative illuminatorassembly. Specifically, as illustrated for example, the heat sink 606may be designed so as to support a first illuminator source of theilluminator component board 604 at a first predetermined downward facingangle when the alternative illuminator assembly, for example when in aparticular forward-facing orientation. Further, the heat sink may bedesigned to support a second illuminator source of the illuminatorcomponent board 604 at a second predetermined angle, for example towardsa field of view to be captured by an associated multi-sensor imagingapparatus when the alternative illuminator assembly is in theforward-facing orientation. Additionally or alternatively, theilluminator lens surface 602 may be designed such that one or morereflectors and/or illumination lenses therein are each properly alignedwith an illuminator source of the illuminator component board 604 forproducing such illuminations when the alternative illuminator assemblyis properly assembled.

The illustrated components further include the assembly securingcomponent 608. The assembly securing component 608 may engage each ofthe components to position and/or align each component with one anotherduring assembly. In at least one example context, the assembly securingcomponent 608 is embodied by an assembly securing screw configured toengage an assembly securing opening of each component when thecomponents 602-606 are properly aligned. By engaging the components, theassembly securing component 608 locks the position and/or alignment ofeach of the components in place, such that components remain a desiredposition and/or alignment when assembled. In this regard, the assemblysecuring component 608 may be engaged and rotated in a first direction,for example clockwise, to engage the assembly securing component 608with each of the illustrated components 602-606, and rotated in a seconddirection, for example counter-clockwise, to disengage the assemblysecuring component 608 with each of the illustrated components 602-606.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the components assembled in place to form thealternative illuminator assembly 104. Specifically, FIG. 7A depicts theassembled alternative illuminator assembly 104 from a first perspectiveview. FIG. 7B depicts the assembled alternative illuminator assembly 104from a first side view.

As illustrated, the components of the assembled alternative illuminatorassembly 104 are each positioned and aligned for operation, and securedin place via the assembly securing component 608 (not shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B). Specifically, the illuminator component board 604 is positionedand aligned with respect to the illuminator lens surface 602 such thatthe illuminator sources each produce an illumination for projection viaassociated optical components, as described below. Further in thisregard, the illuminator component board is secured in place by engagingwith the heat sink 606. As such, the heat sink 606 not only is designedto keep the illuminator component board in place, but also provide heatdissipation functionality to each of the illuminator sources thereof.

Example Details of Alternative Illuminator Assembly Components

Having described the interaction between the various components ofexample alternative illuminator assemblies, details of an exampleilluminator lens surface and illuminator component board will now bedescribed. It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, one ormore additional and/or alternative details may be included in thecomponent design. Additionally or alternatively, similar designs may becreated that similarly reflect the component details described herein,for example where the included components are identical as depicted butpositioned as mirrored across one or more axes. Accordingly, in thisregard, the depicted embodiments are exemplary and not to limit thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8C each depict various subcomponents of an example illuminatorlens surface. Specifically, FIG. 8A depicts a first perspective view ofthe illuminator lens surface and various subcomponents. FIG. 8B depictsa first side view of the illuminator lens surface and varioussubcomponents. FIG. 8C depicts a second perspective view of theilluminator lens surface and various subcomponents. The FIGS. 8A-8C eachillustrate an example illuminator lens surface, specifically theilluminator lens surface 602.

The illuminator lens surface 602 includes an assembly securing opening806. As illustrated, the assembly securing opening 806 is embodied by anopening in a side face of the illuminator lens surface 602. The assemblysecuring opening 806 is designed for alignment with one or more otherassembly securing openings of one or more other components of analternative illuminator assembly, for example such that the assemblysecuring openings of each component are aligned when the components areproperly positioned and/or aligned to be secured for operation. In someembodiments, the assembly securing opening 806 is designed to enableengagement by a corresponding assembly securing component, such as theassembly securing component 608 as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Inthis regard, for example, the assembly securing opening 806 may bedefined by an outer rim designed to allow a corresponding assemblysecuring component to fit through the assembly securing opening 806.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the assemblysecuring opening 806 is defined by a threaded outer rim, such that anassembly securing component may engage with the threads to keep theassembly securing component in place upon engaging with the assemblysecuring opening 806.

In some embodiments, an example illuminator lens surface 602 furtherincludes various optical components for projecting, from one or moreincoming light sources, one or more illuminations of a predefinedillumination pattern and/or at a desired illumination angle. In thisregard, the illuminator lens surface 602 may include at least a pair ofa reflector and an illumination lens for each illuminator source to bealigned with the illuminator lens surface 602. In this regard, eachreflector may be designed to reflect, collimate, and/or otherwise focusincoming light at a desired angle towards a corresponding illuminationlens. The light reflected from the reflector enters the illuminationlens corresponding with the reflector to produce an illumination of acertain pattern and/or at a desired illumination angle based on theillumination lens.

In this regard, for example, the illuminator lens surface 602 includesreflector 802A and illumination lens 804A. The reflector 802A embodies afirst triangular prism reflector, and in other embodiments may beembodied by any of a number of other shaped reflectors. The reflector802A is designed to enable a corresponding illuminator source to bepositioned along a face of the reflector 802A, and that produced lightwill be reflected into illumination lens 804A for projecting acorresponding illumination at a desired illumination angle. In thisregard, the reflector 802A may be constructed of any of a number ofmaterials and designed for reflecting incoming light into theillumination lens 804A for projection. The illumination lens 804A maysubsequently receive the incoming light and project a correspondingillumination based on the incoming light. In some embodiments, theillumination lens 804A is designed to collimate and/or spread theincoming light into an illumination across a particular field. In someembodiments, the illumination lens 804A is embodied by a first lensarray designed to project a corresponding illumination from the incominglight via the reflector 802A.

As illustrated, the illumination lens 804A and reflector 802A are eachpositioned on a front face of the illuminator lens surface 602.Specifically, the illumination lens 804A and reflector 802A may bedesigned to enable projection of an illumination at a desired angle froman incoming light source. For example, the illumination produced by theillumination lens 804A in conjunction with the reflector 802A may be atleast partially horizontal, or otherwise in a side-facing direction inthe depicted orientation (for example, facing away from the side faceincluding the assembly securing opening 806), such that the illuminationlens 804A and reflector 802A are oriented for producing an illuminationtowards a field of view captured by an associated multi-sensor imagingengine.

Further, as illustrated, the illuminator lens surface 602 includesreflector 802B and illumination lens 804B. The reflector 802B embodies asecond triangular prism reflector, and in other embodiments may beembodied by any of a number of other shaped reflectors. The reflector802B is designed to enable a corresponding illuminator source to bepositioned along a face of the reflector 802B, and that the producedlight will be reflected into illumination lens 804B for projecting acorresponding illumination at a desired illumination angle. In thisregard, the reflector 802B may be constructed of any of a number ofmaterials and designed for reflecting incoming light into theillumination lens 804B for projection. The illumination lens 804B maysubsequently receive the incoming light and project a correspondingillumination based on the incoming light. In some embodiments, theillumination lens 804B is designed to collimate and/or spread theincoming light into an illumination across a particular field. In someembodiments, the illumination lens 804B is embodied by a second lensarray designed to project a corresponding illumination from the incominglight via the reflector 802B.

As illustrated, the illumination lens 804B and reflector 802B are eachpositioned on a bottom face of the illuminator lens surface 602.Specifically, the illumination lens 804B and reflector 802B may bedesigned to enable projection of an illumination at a downward facingangle from an incoming light in a circumstance where the illuminatorlens surface 602 is oriented in a forward-facing direction. In thisregard, the illumination angle associated with the illumination lens804B and reflector 802B may be angled to enable producing theillumination towards a bottom surface for purposes of reflecting theillumination as a bounce-flash illumination of a field of view. In thisregard, the illumination may be produced at a downward facing angle suchthat a reflected portion of the illumination illuminates the field ofview with a sufficiently high angle of incidence to prevent undesiredspecular reflective effects.

FIGS. 9A-9E each depict various subcomponents of an example illuminatorcomponent board. Specifically, FIG. 9A depicts a first perspective viewof the example illuminator component board and various subcomponentsthereof. FIG. 9B depicts a second perspective view of the illuminatorcomponent board and various subcomponents thereof. FIG. 9C depicts atop-down view of the illuminator component board and varioussubcomponents thereof. FIG. 9D depicts a first side view of theilluminator component board and various subcomponents thereof. FIG. 9Edepicts a front view of the example illuminator component board andvarious subcomponents thereof. The FIGS. 9A-9E each illustrate anexample illuminator component board, specifically the illuminatorcomponent board 604.

The illuminator component board 604 includes an assembly securingopening 906. As illustrated, the assembly securing opening 906 isembodied by an opening in a side face of the illuminator component board604. The assembly securing opening 906 is designed for alignment withone or more other assembly securing openings of one or more othercomponents of an alternative illuminator assembly, for example such thatthe assembly securing openings of each component are aligned when thecomponents are properly positioned and/or aligned to be secured foroperation. In one such example embodiment, the side face of theilluminator component board 604 that includes the assembly securingopening 906 is designed to be aligned with a side face of theilluminator lens surface 602 that includes the assembly securing opening906. In some embodiments, the assembly securing opening 906 is designedto enable engagement by a corresponding assembly securing component,such as the assembly securing component 608 as illustrated in FIGS. 6Aand 6B. In this regard, for example, the assembly securing opening 906may be defined by an outer rim designed to allow a correspondingassembly securing component to fit through the assembly securing opening906. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the assemblysecuring opening 906 is defined by a threaded outer rim, such that theassembly securing component may engage with the threads to keep theassembly securing component in place upon engaging with the assemblysecuring opening 906.

The illuminator component board 604 may embody a printed circuit boardincluding hardware for powering one or more subcomponents thereof and/ortransmitting one or more signals to the one or more subcomponentsthereof. For example, in this regard, the illuminator component board604 may include at least one or more illuminators configured forpowering and/or activation via the illuminator component board 604. Theilluminator component board 604 may be configured for connection to oneor more other hardware components, for example one or more processors,imaging engines, and/or the like, to provide such power and/oractivation signals.

As illustrated, the illuminator component board 604 includes twoilluminator source, specifically illuminator source 902 and illuminatorsource 904. As depicted, the illuminator source 904 is aligned at afirst angle, specifically to produce light at a downward facing angle.In this regard, the light produced by the illuminator source 904 mayenter one or more optical components of the illuminator lens surface602, for example reflector 802B, for projecting a correspondingillumination at a desired illumination angle. In an example embodiment,the illuminator source 904 is configured to produce light for projectinga bounce flash illumination to illuminate a certain field of view in acircumstance where illuminator component board 604 is oriented asdepicted. As such, the illuminator source 904 may be specificallyconfigured, for example to produce a certain intensity level, and/or thelike, to produce the desired light for use in projecting thecorresponding bounce flash illumination.

The illuminator source 902 is aligned at a second angle, specifically toproduce light at a downward facing angle. In this regard, the lightproduced by the illuminator source 902 may enter one or more opticalcomponents of the illuminator lens surface 602, for example reflector802A, for projecting a corresponding illumination at a desiredillumination angle. In an example embodiment, the illuminator source 902is configured to produce, towards the field of view, light embodying adark-field illumination to illuminate the field of view. For example, insome embodiments, rotating causes the illumination produced by theilluminator source 902 and/or corresponding optical components such asone or more reflectors and/or illumination lenses to project anillumination at an illumination angle in line with a field of view to beilluminated by the illumination. As such, the illuminator source 902 mayalso be specially configured, for example to produce a desired intensitylevel, and/or the like, to produce the desired light for use inprojecting the corresponding dark-field illumination. In someembodiments, the illuminator source 902 and illuminator source 904 areconfigured the same. In other embodiments, the illuminator source 902and illuminator source 904 are configured differently from one another.

In some embodiments, the illuminator component board 604 is designedsuch to support the illuminator source 902 and/or illuminator source 904in specific positions associated with desired illumination angles, forexample as illustrated. In some such embodiments, the illuminatorcomponent board 604 is rigid at least in one or more portions thatconnect to each of the illuminator source 902 and/or illuminator source904. Additionally or alternatively, in some such embodiments, theilluminator component board 604 is flexible, and/or otherwise isconfigured to bend, at a junction connecting the rigid portion to theside face of the illuminator component board 604, for example the faceincluding the assembly securing opening 906. In this regard, theportions of the illuminator component board 604 that support theilluminator source 902 and/or illuminator source 904 may further besupported by one or more other components of the alternative illuminatorassembly when appropriately positioned and/or aligned. For example, asdescribed, in some embodiments at least a portion of the illuminatorcomponent board 604 and illuminator source 902 are supported by a firstface of a heat sink, such as the heat sink 606, and one or morecomponents of an illuminator lens surface, such as a first reflector802A, to properly orient the illuminator source 902. Additionally oralternatively, as described, in some embodiments at least a portion ofthe illuminator component board 604 and illuminator source 904 aresupported by a second face of a heat sink, such as the heat sink 606,and one or more components of an illuminator lens surface, such as asecond reflector 802B, to properly orient the illuminator source 904.

Example Details of Example Imaging Engine

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate various visualizations of a multi-sensorimaging engine in accordance with at least some example embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 10A depicts a first frontperspective view of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102. FIG. 10Bdepicts a front orthogonal view of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102.As described, in some embodiments a multi-sensor imaging engine isassociated with an alternative illuminator assembly within an imagingapparatus. In this regard, the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 mayinclude one or more components, such as processing circuitry, hardware,and/or the like, to control one or more components of the multi-sensorimaging engine and the alternative illuminator assembly. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, one or more external components isconfigured for controlling one or more components of the multi-sensorimaging engine and one or more components of the alternative illuminatorassembly.

As illustrated, the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 includes at least anear-field imager 1004, a far-field imager 1006, integratedillumination-aimer optics 1002, and a circuit board 1008. In someembodiments, the near-field imager 1004 includes at least near-fieldoptical components, such as one or more lenses, defining a particularnear field of view for capture by an associated near-field image sensor.In this regard, light may traverse through the near-field opticalcomponents to interact with the near-field image sensor for capture, forexample in a near-field image data object representing the near-field ofview captured by the near-field image sensor. In some such embodiments,the near-field optical components manipulate the light as it traverses,for example to focus the light towards specific portions of thenear-field image sensor. Similarly, in some embodiments, the far-fieldimager 1006 includes at least far-field optical components, such as oneor more lenses, defining a particular far-field of view for capture byan associated far-field image sensor. In this regard, light may traversethrough the far-field optical components to interact with the far-fieldimage sensor for capture, for example in a far-field image data objectrepresenting the far-field of view captured by the far-field imagesensor. In some embodiments, the far-field optical components manipulatethe light as it traverses, for example to focus the light towardsspecific portions of the far-field image sensor.

The circuit board 1008 may be embodied by circuitry, hardware, and/orthe like configured for transmitting power and/or electrical signalsbetween one or more control units, such as a processor, processingcircuitry, and/or the like, and one or more components attached to thecircuit board 1008. In some such embodiments, the circuit board 1008comprises a printed circuit board, such as a flexible printed circuitboard, having one or more additional components connected or otherwiseintegrated therewith. For example, in at least one example embodiment,the circuit board 1008 includes at least a near-field image sensor forthe near-field imager 1004, such as located behind one or more opticalcomponents, such as one or more lenses, of the near-field imager 1004.In some embodiments, the circuit board 1008 further includes at least anear-field image sensor for the far-field imager 1006, such as locatedbehind one or more optical components, such as one or more lenses, ofthe far-field imager 1006. In this regard, the circuit board 1008 mayprovide power and/or activation signals to the image sensors to causeeach of the image sensors to activate and capture an image data object.

Additionally or alternatively, the circuit board 1008 may include one ormore illuminator sources configured to produce light for projecting bythe multi-sensor imaging engine 102. For example, in some embodiments,each of the near-field imager 1004 and far-field imager 1006 areassociated with a corresponding illumination source. In this regard thecircuit board 1008 may include at least a near-field illuminator sourceand a far-field illuminator source. The near-field illuminator sourcemay be configured to produce light intended to illuminate the near-fieldof view to be captured by the near-field imager 1004, and the far-fieldilluminator source may be configured to produce light intended toilluminate the far-field of view to be captured by the far-field imager1006. Additionally or alternatively, the circuit board 1008 may includean aimer source configured to produce an aimer light. In at least oneexample context, the aimer source comprises an aimer laser sourceconfigured to produce a high intensity aimer light for use in generatinga corresponding aimer pattern. In some such embodiments, the aimerpattern provides a visual representation that can be used to align themulti-sensor imaging engine 102 with an object to be scanned, forexample a direct part marking indicia.

The illuminator source(s) of the multi-sensor imaging engine 102 mayfurther be activated by the circuit board 1008, and/or one or moreassociated processors. For example, one or more activation signals maybe sent via the circuit board 1008 to one or more of the illuminatorsource(s) to cause the illuminator source(s) to activate and generate acorresponding illumination. In some embodiments, the multipleilluminator sources may be activated in an alternating manner, forexample such that reflective effect and/or other negative visual effectscaused by combining illuminations from the illuminator sources areminimized and/or eliminated. For example, an alternating illuminationpattern between a plurality of illuminator sources, for example afar-field illuminator source and a near-field illuminator source, mayreduce specular effects with respect to highly reflective surfaces,which may improve accuracy with respect to scanning a highly reflectivedirect part marking visual indicia.

The integrated illumination-aimer optics 1002 comprises a single pieceoptical component include a plurality of subassemblies for producingvarious illuminations and/or other projections. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 10B, the integrated illumination-aimer optics 1002includes an aimer pattern projector 1002C. The aimer pattern projector1002C may be aligned with an aimer source, such that the light producedby the aimer source interacts with the aimer pattern projector 1002C toproject a corresponding aimer illumination. The aimer illumination maycomprise a high intensity pattern representing a certain aimer patternembodied by the aimer pattern projector 1002C.

The integrated illumination-aimer optics 1002 further includes afar-field illumination lens 1002A, a near-field illumination lens 1002B,and an aimer pattern projector 1002C. The near-field illumination lens1002B may be aligned with a near-field illuminator source, such that thelight produced by the near-field illuminator source interacts with thenear-field illumination lens 1002B to project a corresponding near-fieldillumination. Similarly, the far-field illumination lens 1002A may bealigned with a far-field illuminator source, such that the lightproduced by the far-field illuminator source interacts with thefar-field illumination lens 1002A to project a corresponding far-fieldillumination.

In this regard, multi-sensor imaging engine 102 may be configured togenerate one or more illuminations for illuminating one or more thenear-field of view and/or far-field of view. Each illumination may beproduced at an angle parallel to, and/or substantially parallel, to thefield of view(s) defined by the imagers of the multi-sensor imagingengine. In this regard, the produced illuminations may not effectivelyilluminate one or more direct part marking indicia(s) within the fieldof view(s).

For example, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate representations including directpart marking indicia of particular direct part marking indicia types.Specifically, in at least one example context, the particular directpart marking indicia types as illustrated may be ineffectivelyilluminated by illumination received at an illumination angle normal to,or substantially normal to, one or more image sensors for capturing afield of view including the direct part marking indicia. In this regard,in at least some example embodiments the direct part marking indicia ofthe illustrated direct part marking indicia types may be effectivelyilluminated utilizing one or more produced illumination from analternative illuminator assembly, as described.

Specifically, for example, FIG. 11 depicts a representation of directpart marking indicia 1104 on object 1102. As illustrated, the object1102 includes a highly reflective surface, such that the direct partmarking indicia 1104 embodies a highly reflective direct part markingindicia. In this regard, the representation includes specular reflectioneffect 1106. The specular reflection effect 1106 may be caused by anillumination projected at a low incidence angle with respect to thedirect part marking indicia 1104. For example, in at least one examplecontext, the specular reflection effect 1106 results from a near-fieldillumination and/or far-field illumination produced by an illuminatorsource and/or corresponding illumination lens of a multi-sensor imagingengine.

The specular reflection effects, such as the specular reflection effect1106, increases the likelihood that the image data object including thedirect part marking indicia 1104 cannot be successfully read. Forexample, the specular reflection effect 1106 makes at least a portion ofthe direct part marking indicia 1104 appear white regardless of theactual data value represented. Accordingly, such specular reflectioneffects may cause failure in detecting the direct part marking indicia1104 from the representation within the captured image data object.Additionally or alternatively, such specular reflect effects may causefailure in successfully decoding the direct part marking indicia 1104from the representation within the captured image data object.

In some example contexts, an alternative illuminator assembly isconfigured to project one or more illuminations to effectivelyilluminate the direct part marking indicia 1104. In this regard, forexample, a bounce-flash illumination produced by the alternativeilluminator assembly illuminates the direct part marking indicia 1104such that the captured image data object includes less, or does notinclude any, specular reflection effects, such as the specularreflection effect 1106. By reducing or eliminating the specularreflection effects, the captured image data object may be more likely tobe successfully processed, for example such that the direct part markingindicia 1104 may be successfully detected from the image data objectand/or successfully decoded.

FIG. 12 depicts a representation of direct part marking indicia 1204 onobject 1202. As illustrated, the object 1202 comprises a monochromaticsurface. The direct part marking indicia 1204 comprises a non-contrastdirect part marking indicia designed by impacting the surface of theobject 1202. In this regard, a first data value of may be represented byimpacting the surface of the object 1202 (resulting in an indented,recessed surface at the data point) and a second data value may berepresented by not impacting the surface of the object 1202 (resultingin the surface remaining the same at the data point).

The illustrated representation of the direct part marking indicia 1204may be captured when illuminated by one or more illuminations projectedby an alternative illuminator assembly. For example, the field of viewmay be illuminated by a dark-field illumination projected by thealternative illuminator assembly at a high illumination angle withrespect to the direct part marking indicia 1204. In doing so, the datapoints of the direct part marking indicia 1204 may be illuminated toenhance the contrast between the impacted data points and thenon-impacted data points, such that the contrast between the differentvalues is represented in the captured image data object sufficiently fordetecting and/or decoding the direct part marking indicia 1204. Forexample, in at least one embodiment, the angle of incidence for adark-field illumination produced by an alternative illuminator assemblyilluminates the direct part marking indicia 1204 such that the impacteddata points remain dark spots (e.g., unilluminated due to theindentation), such that a representation may be captured including suchimpacted data points as dark spots for distinguishing between thevarious data points.

In at least one other context, for example in a circumstance where thedirect part marking indicia 1204 is illuminated at an illumination angleequal to and/or near equal to the normal axis of one or more imagesensor(s) for capturing the depicted representation of the direct partmarking indicia 1204, the monochromatic surface may be illuminated suchthat each data value is indistinguishable. In this regard, the capturedimage data object may including a representation of the direct partmarking indicia 1204 that may not be successfully detectable and/ordecodable due to the monochromatic nature of the surface of the object1202 and each individual data value of the direct part marking indicia1204. As such, the high incidence dark-field illumination projected bythe alternative illuminator assembly improves the ability for theimaging engine to capture one or more image data object(s) including arepresentation of the direct part marking indicia 1204 that may besuccessfully detected and/or decoded therefrom.

CONCLUSION

It should be appreciated that the example implementations describedherein are each non-limiting examples of various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In this regard, one or more enhancements implementedin the various embodiments may be provided in any combination.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, one or morecomponents may be provided with modifications as described herein. Forexample, in some examples, one or more components described herein maybe implemented with some or all subcomponents therein mirrored, forexample such that an alternative illuminator assembly is designed forrotation counter-clockwise to cause a second illumination to beprojected at an angle in line with a field of view to be captured by oneor more associated components.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, it should beappreciated that similar designs may be implemented to produce anincreased and/or decreased number of illuminations. For example, in someembodiments, an alternative illuminator assembly may includesubcomponents only for projecting a bounce flash illumination or adark-field illumination, as described herein. Similarly, one or moreadditional illuminators may be included together with correspondingprojection optics in a circumstance where space allows for suchcomponents.

The embodiments disclosed have been described with certain exampleconfigurations and/or implementation details. It should be appreciatedthat in other embodiments, for example, components may be embodied byother materials known in the art for creating such components, and/orusing structurally equivalent materials. Further, it should beappreciated that embodiments may include any number of known structuralelements, and/or utilize any number of known methodologies, for securingthe components and/or subcomponents thereof within each assembly and/orapparatus without deviating from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Further, while this specification contains many specific implementationdetails, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope andspirit of the disclosure herein, or of what may be claimed. Rather, suchimplementation details provide description of features specific toparticular embodiments of particular disclosures. Certain features thatare described herein in the context of separate embodiments can beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described herein in the context of a single embodimentcan also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable subcombination thereof. Moreover, although features may bedescribed above as acting in certain combinations, and/or even initiallyclaimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can insome cases be excised from the combination such that a claimedcombination may be directed to a subcombination and/or variation of thecombination and/or a subcombination thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile apparatus comprising: an apparatuschassis for the mobile apparatus; an imaging engine, the imaging enginecomprising at least image capture optics and at least one image sensor,wherein the imaging engine is positioned within the apparatus chassis;and an alternative illuminator assembly producing a first illuminationat a first illumination angle directed in a first direction towards theimagine engine in an orientation of the mobile apparatus and a secondillumination at a second illumination angle directed in a downwarddirection in the orientation, the alternative illuminator assemblypositioned within the apparatus chassis.
 2. The mobile apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the alternative illuminator assemblyfurther comprises: a first support component that fixedly position theimaging engine within the apparatus chassis, and a second supportcomponent that fixedly position the alternative illuminator assemblywithin the apparatus chassis.
 3. The mobile apparatus according to claim1, wherein the alternative illuminator assembly comprises: anilluminator lens surface comprising at least a first reflector and afirst illumination lens, and a second reflector and a secondillumination lens, wherein the illuminator lens surface comprises afirst assembly securing opening; an illuminator component boardcomprising at least a first alternative illuminator source aligned withthe first reflector and the first illumination lens, and comprising atleast a second alternative illuminator source aligned with the secondreflector and the second illumination lens, wherein the illuminatorcomponent board further comprises a second assembly securing opening; aheat sink positioned adjacent to disperse heat from the illuminatorcomponent board, wherein the heat sink comprises a third assemblysecuring opening; and an assembly securing component engaged with thefirst assembly securing opening, the second assembly securing opening,and the third assembly securing opening, to secure the illuminator lenssurface, illuminator component board, and heat sink, wherein the firstilluminator source, the first reflector, and the first illumination lensproduces an illumination at a first illumination angle and wherein thesecond illuminator source, the second reflector, and the secondillumination lens produce a second illumination at a second illuminationangle, wherein the first illumination angle is greater than the secondillumination angle.
 4. The mobile apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the heat sink is of a predefined shape, the heat sink engagingthe assembly securing component to align the first alternativeilluminator source with the first reflector and align the secondalternative illuminator source with the second reflector.
 5. The mobileapparatus according to claim 1, the mobile apparatus further comprising:at least one processor configured to activate the alternativeilluminator assembly and the imaging engine.
 6. The mobile apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein to activate the alternative illuminatorassembly the mobile apparatus is configured to activate a firstalternative illuminator source of the alternative illuminator assembly,a second alternative illuminator source of the alternative illuminatorassembly, or a combination of the first alternative illuminator sourceand the second alternative illuminator source, and wherein to activatethe imaging engine the mobile apparatus is configured to activate the atleast one image sensor of the imaging engine, at least one additionalilluminator source of the imaging engine, or a combination of the atleast one image sensor of the imaging engine and the at least oneadditional illuminator source of the imaging engine.
 7. The mobileapparatus according to claim 5, wherein to activate the imaging enginethe mobile apparatus is configured to alternate activation of a firstilluminator source of the imaging engine and a second illuminator sourceof the imaging engine.
 8. The mobile apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the apparatus chassis comprises a height of less than 7millimeters.
 9. The mobile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theimaging engine and the alternative illuminator assembly are orientedalong a terminal edge of the apparatus chassis.
 10. The mobile apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the first illumination comprises a uniformbounce flash illumination that enables reading of a highly reflectivedirect part marking indicia utilizing the imaging engine.
 11. The mobileapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second illuminationcomprises a dark-field illumination that enables reading of one or morefrom the group of a textured direct part marking indicia, a low contrastdirect part marking indicia, and a non-contrast direct part markingindicia utilizing the imaging engine.
 12. The mobile apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the mobile apparatus is configured to produce aplurality of illuminations to enable reading of a plurality of directpart marking indicia types utilizing the imaging engine.
 13. A mobileapparatus comprising: an alternative illuminator assembly comprising: anilluminator lens surface comprising at least a first reflector and afirst illumination lens, and a second reflector and a secondillumination lens, wherein the illuminator lens surface comprises afirst assembly securing opening; an illuminator component boardcomprising at least a first illuminator source aligned with the firstreflector and the first illumination lens, and comprising at least asecond illuminator source aligned with the second reflector and thesecond illumination lens, wherein the illuminator component boardfurther comprises a second assembly securing opening; a heat sinkpositioned adjacent to disperse heat from the illuminator componentboard, wherein the heat sink comprises a third assembly securingopening; and an assembly securing component engaged with the firstassembly securing opening, the second assembly securing opening, and thethird assembly securing opening, to secure the illuminator lens surface,the illuminator component board, and the heat sink.
 14. The mobileapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first illuminator sourcecomprises a first light emitting diode, and wherein the secondilluminator source comprises a second light emitting diode.
 15. Themobile apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the illuminatorcomponent board comprises a printed circuit board.
 16. The mobileapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the assembly securing componentcomprises an assembly securing screw.
 17. The mobile apparatus accordingto claim 13, wherein the first illuminator source is aligned with thefirst reflector and the first illumination lens to produce a firstillumination at a first illumination angle, and wherein the secondilluminator source is aligned with the second reflector and the secondillumination lens to produce a second illumination at a secondillumination angle.
 18. The mobile apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the first illumination angle is greater than the secondillumination angle.
 19. A method comprising: producing, utilizing analternative illuminator assembly of an apparatus, a first illuminationthat illuminates a direct part marking indicia, wherein the firstillumination is produced at a first illumination angle directed in afirst direction towards an imaging engine of the apparatus in anorientation; producing a second illumination at a second illuminationangle directed in a downward direction in the orientation; capturing,utilizing an imaging engine of the apparatus, a representation of thedirect part marking indicia; and reading the representation of thedirect part marking indicia.
 20. The method according to claim 19,wherein the alternative illuminator assembly is located at a firstposition along a terminal edge of the apparatus, and the imaging engineis located at a second position along the terminal edge of theapparatus.